%e young Steplien 9(aszapJ S'E/l(o/5Zl9{q' 01' qO'lJ Jenő B6day, SJ.

Stephen Kaszap

SERVANT OF GOD

(From the writings of Lászl6 Endrődy, SJ.)

Translation from Hungarian revised by Aloysius Graham, SJ. INTRODUCTION

The name of Stephen (István) Kaszap a former novice and candidate of the Society of Jesus, is very well-known among Hungarians. His fIrst biography by Lászl6 Endrődy SJ., entitled, "A Life For Christ", was issued in 100,000 copies in the 1940-s. Another book1etof 180 pages, entitled: "With Love and Suffering", containing meditations over his exemplary life, was issued in 300,000 copies. The prayer intercessions attributed to him number over 20,000. 800 small marble tablets around his grave testify to the miraculous prayer answers attributed to his intercession.

Stephen Kaszap is also known in other countries. Writings have appeared about hím in the English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Slovak and Spanish languages. His complete biography, the "Life For Christ", has been issued in Spanish.

What is the secret of this young man who was bom on March 25, 1916 at Székesfehérvár, Hungary, and whose soul returned to his Maker at the age of 19 on December 17, 1935? How did he become a shining example for alI the young people? The compositions written during his years as a Cistercian student, together with his diaries that include his life as a novice, provide an insight into his life and thoughts.

Servant of God Many people are convinced that István Kaszap was led by the special grace of God, and that he always responded to the ISTVÁN / Stephen / KASZAP call of God with a spontaneous "Yes". A conspicuously large crowd was already present at his funeral at the local cemetery, Candidate for the Company of Jésus and later public interest increased further after the appearance of his fIrst biography. 1

On the 11th of October, 1941, the bishop of PARTI Székesfehérvár, Mgr. Lajos Shvoy, initiated the process of the GROWINGUP beatification of István Kaszap, and his case was transferred to Rome in 1947. In 1942 the remains of István Kaszap were CHILDHOOD carried in a triumpha1 procession to his present resting place in the arcades of the Prohászka Memorial Church in Stephen Kaszap was born the third of five children, on Székesfehérvár. March 25, 1916 in Székesfehérvár, once the Roman town of Alba Regia, south-west of Budapest, Hungary. His father was A person who has been scrutinized and whose virtues are chief supervisor at the local post office. A quiet, modest man, acknowledged is given the tit1e"Servant of God". According to Mr. Kaszap is remembered as a devout Christian, very the belief of the Church, those souls already in heaven may help concerned with the religious education of his children. . the earthly members of the Church. This is expressed in the Stephen' s mother is reported to have been an affectionate prayer of the Holy Mass: "... ali your saints, on whose constant mother and devoted homemaker. Both parents were careful to intercession we rely for help." have family prayers each evening and to be certain that the children memorized their basic prayers at an early age. In order to honour anyone publicly, a procIamation of the Following the custom for Sunday Mass, the Kaszap family had Church is required to the effect that the person is already in a family pew near the pulpit in the local church. heaven, that his life was indeed exemplary, and that the Christian virtues were exercised by that person on a heroic What was Stephen like as a young boy? His mother, level. The proof of God's intervention in István Kaszap's life who must have known very well, tells us she worried a lot about is proven by the many prayer intercessions and miraculous his obstinate, aggressive behaviour and his sudden fits of bad healings. temper. When irritated, or teased by his brothers, he would fly into a blind fury, and throw whatever he could grab in his Should the Church beatify Stephen Kaszap, his image small hands. of course, his character also had a better side. He would be elevated to the altar in his native country, as a model could be very happy and loved to whistle while he worked. His and a helper of the youth. In case of his eventual elevation to willingness to help with daily chores showed how much he sainthood, he would be honoured by the Catholic Church alI 10ved his parents. When nine years old, later than is usual over the world. today, he received his first Holy Communion on Ascension Thursday, May 21, 1925. 2 J

STUDENT DAYS IN THE CONGREGATION OF MARY

Stephen was sent to a Lycée, a school conducted by During his junior year, Steve joined a group know at his Cistercian monks. Perhaps one has to have been a "boarder" in school as the Congregation of Mary. He officially became a such a school to fully appreciate what it meant to be a pupil in member on the feast of the Ascension, March 25, 1931. The an institution conducted by religious priests. The Fathers of the ceremony of induction was traditionally an outstanding school Lycée had consecrated their lives not only to the intellectual event that took place each year in the college church, fully formation of their students, but also to the spiritual growth they decorated and brilliantly lighted for the occasion. were convinced helps form the true Christian. Stephen liked his teachers but, as has always happened with school boys under the stress of discipline and rules, he was not at ali beyond taking part in high-spirited antics and student mischief. He telis us of himself:

"In general, I was quite willful and sometimes worked around the rules but I was not perverted or corrupt I have no doubt at ali that I often irritated and annoyed the teachers. It seems to me now that the years at the Lycée just flew past. Hard work for exams, very pleasant vacations and wonderful excursions with my fellow students are what I remember best Stephen Kaszap, fourth from the right about my student days".

Some of the best qualities of his character began to show Géza Nika, who was student Prefect of the Congregation clearly during these years. For example, he made it a custom at this time, remembers that the Cistercian Father Rafael to get up early and promptly every moroing, a custom that he Marschall was in charge. The members met twice a month, on kept for the rest of his life. His daily journal was started during Saturdays, in a smaller chapel of their own, located beside the these years and never dropped. He formed a habit of regular great nave of the college church. The main purpose of their prayer and began to serve Mass whenever he had the activities, of course, was to increase their own devotion and love opportunity. As he noted in his journal at this time, "1 served of oUf Blessed Mother and to spread their devotion to their Mass today for my professor, Father Szász. From now on, I fellow students by word and example. Steve wrote in his shall serve every day that I can." journal enthusiastically about various activities as a Congregationalist. Although it is clear that he did not seek special positions in the organization, he was eventually asked to undertake the important duties and responsibilities of Secretary. 5

patrol leader. This involved giving commands in a loud voice IN THE BOY SCOUTS to the troop drawn up in military forrnation. Obviously excited, Steve's voice faltered and the troop began to laugh. Steve's Until his graduation from the Lycée, Steve was an active pride was really hurt. It took quite an effon to get bim to try member of the Boy Scouts in the Zrinyi patrol. This patrol, again. During the three years I was patrol leader, there was founded by their professor, Father Edgar Potz, O.Cis., was never any discord between us. Whatever I asked, he carried out named after the great Hungarian hero, Miklós Zrinyi, who had without argument or excuse. I could always trust bim fought long aga against the Ottoman Turks. Steve writes in his completely and always count on his support" journal about his concept of a real boy scout, "Whom shall I call a Boy Scout? The boy scout, par excellence, should be an example in everything. He is never rude nor silly, but earnest and manly; at the same time, he is always joyful."

Keeping a journal was compulsory according to the rule of the troop and Steve observed the rule rigorously. He took part in many activities - among others, he seems to have become a proficient bookbinder. His journal reports: "This afternoon I went to the Center. Gabi Pal was on duty. I helped bim carry water to scrub the floor and then went to the cellar Stephen Kaszap was an active scout for an axe and chopped some wood. After the chores, we went to play." "A good example of Steve's excellent memory was the The man who, as a boy, was his patrol leader at the way he succeeded in a game we used to call "kim", a game Lycée, writes as follows: "From the distance of some 60 years, meant to improve the scouts' ability. In this game the leader I try to recollect some details from the days when Steve Kaszap piles a dozen or more small objects on a table - watches, was a boy scout I knew bim well from the time he joined us. pencils, jack-knives, matches, coins, and so forth - and covers I was the patrol leader of the team "Kakas" (which means them with a doth before the players enter the room. When the "rooster" in Hungarian), and Steve was a junior member of this players are ready, the leader lifts the doth for a few seconds team. When an assistant patrol leader had to be elected, the and quickly replaces it. The players then have a fixed time - team chose Steve. This was a great honour since, if the patrol say two minutes - to make a list of the objects. The player who leader was absent, the assistant was charged with the makes the longest list wins the game. Steve nearly always won." responsibilities of leader." Steve had never shunned problems or difficulties. He "1 remember well that one day, shortly after Steve had sirnply accepted every task in life as it came, whether large or been elected, he was assigned to practise his duties as assistant small. Asked to carry water in the camp, he was never heard to 6 1 complain about the game he had given up to do the work. forest to pray." Another witness who frequently served Mass Asked to stand guard at night, he never made a big issue of the for the camp Commander, a priest, tells us that Steve was sleep he had lost. always at the morning Mass before returning to the wait for the others to rise. Later Steve became a patrol leader himself. The "Turtle Dove" patrol was formed of new recruits. His journal says: Something else that Steve loved was bicycle trips, "This is the new junior patrol that is to begin scouting with the "During the summer, I visiled our old Vértes mountain, roaming worthy aim of becoming better men and better Hungarians. ils thick oak forests and ils moss-strewn precipices where These boys come to us with fresh enthusiasm, with the everything speaks about our Almighty Creator." determination to make the ten commandrnents of scouting the driving force of their lives. Their goal is yet a long way off; After eleventh grade he finally owned a bicycle of his there will be many struggles in the future. Lord, please give own, "It cost 50 Pengő. I earned 16 Pengő as a tutor, received these boys courage and abundant energy." 20 more as a reward and had to borrow the remaining fourteen. But I got my bike and now I can easily go anywhere I wish." The annual summer camps become milestones in a scout' s life. Steve writes briefly about the one held at "1 made a bike trip to Aliga and continued on to Dombóvár in 1932: "On the top of Mount Dombó are the Keszthely on the south-west corner of Lake Balaton. The magnificent ruins of an ancient fortress. At the foot of the freedom, good air, warm weather and swimming in Lake mountain, we pitched our tents in a small clearing facing the Balaton were wonderful. At home we had only the lake thick forest. Our tricolor flies at half mast on the flagpole in connected with the mines to help us escape the summer heat." the middle of the camp. Nearby a large cross made of birch poles guards our tents." One of his fellow scouts writes about Again he writes: "On the fIrst of August I travelled by him, "Steve often left the camp to go for a walk in the foresto bike to Budapest and from there to Gödöllő where I visited the He loved nature because he understood its language." Steve international jamboree. Then I went north-east to Asz6d, himself has this to say about the beauty of a sunrise in the Hatvan and GyöngyÖs. I spent the night at Gyöngyös, at the camp, "The fIrst rays of the rising sun break through the tree foot of the Matra mountains, and was able to clirnb next day to tops and the forest resounds with the song of many birds as the the top of Kékes, the "blue mountain" of the Mátra. The view camp slowly comes to life." in ali directions from the top is pure delight. My route took me from here to Pászt6 and other towns near the Slovak border. At At this hour the guard is changed. Although most scouts Balassagyarmat, I swam in the Ipoly nyer and then went are still sound asieep, the guards cannot help noticing some through a number of small villages to get back to Asz6d and movement in the tent of the Kakas patrol. They know il is Budapest. I spent the time ali by myself but enjoyed il Steve Kaszap who always gets up half an hour before the others. tremendously. Despite being tired, the fIve days were His patrolieader, Ferenc Almássy, knows the reason: "Steve got unforgettable." up every morning earlier than the others to go to the edge of the 8

acquainted with their culture. Later he rnet ltalian students SENIOR STUDENT visiting Hungary and became their guides. Steve had always been an avid reader and this seems to have lead him to By the time the student reaches grade nine at the Lycée, undertake a wide variety of intellectual tasks and in fact to he has come to be a young man. He has gained self-confidence become something of a dilettante, a dabbler in many intellectual and his interests have broadened considerably. Steve was now fields. a young man. His journal is the best witness to how his interests had widened at this time. He chose for motto: "Only Inevitably, the great variety of his interests and initiatives the selfish stand without sympathy." had a very adverse effect on his school work. In the year in which he wrote most of his journal entries his marks in school In addition to his thoughts and record of daily events, dropped dramatically. In his final exarninations in the tenth Steve began to note in his journal quotations, proverbs, adages, grade he did not have a single A grade, except in gyrnnastics. and poetry that attracted his attention, as weil as literary In Latin and Math he got only a passing mark and he actually quotations in Hungarian, French, Italian, German and Polish. In failed his drawing course. He had really reached the bottom and his collection were Hungarian folldore, ltalian prayers, Turkish was in danger of graduating two years later with such low dialogue. On a blank page we fmd the signature of Lászlo grades that his dreams of scholastic achievement in the future Mécs in pale blue inlc would have been over.

We are told that his journal then grew much larger. The These disappointing results, however, brought him to writing became more concise. He began to collect notes on realize his position and he retumed to better habits of various kinds of musical composition. There are notes on concentration and study of the essentials. He put ali his effort Mozart and Verdi. From the great writers, he writes about into improving his standing at school so that by the end of the Manzoni, Lagerll6f, Camoens, Defoe, Fénelon. He continues his year his marks in religion, German and French were at the A study of Assyrian and Sumerian linguistic curiosities and level and his mathematics just below this. He even improved quotations from Mahabherata and Luziada. We know that he his drawing. However, it was uphill work and he had fallen so was interested in painting because there are a number of studies far behind that his marks in history and geography were still of the works of Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein, Van Dyck, unsatisfactory. Typically, this brought him to redouble his Murillo, Tizian. More practical disciplines also attracted his efforts and set up a strict study schedule for himself. attention - such as surveying techniques with the theodolite. His notes on gyrnnastics and a list of books he was to read complete The effort succeeded. About the eleventh grade, he the panorama of his student journal. writes, "At the end of my summer vacation, I set out to meet the problems of the new year with new hopes; plans and At the same time he was studying French, ltalian and resolutions. 1 trust that the Virgin Mary and Jesus will help me Spanish. The literature of Latin peoples attracted his interest to reach the level that 1 am seeking to reach by my own work and through the study of their literature he became weil and effort." In fact he succeeded in graduating at the end of his 10 II twelfth year with a straight A average. Steve himself telis us how he viewed his fmal success, "It was God's voice that because I found that reading it armed me against the temptations guided me in my studies and helped me to carry them out with of the day." He confessed to his novice master: "My youth was dedication." pure but I was quite agitated as a teenager; I arn only sorry that I was not able to go to Holy Communion much earlier in my Iif By the time graduation had come, he had made his e." choice to follow a call to a religious vocation and was ready to give his life to God.

IN SPIRITUAL COMBAT

Steve Kaszap did not fmd moral virtue easy; he had to work hard to control his instincts and his passions. He was strengthened by his devotion to duty that required giving up favorite sports and recreations. He writes about his experience in his journal: "It was is in the ninth and tenth grades that my eyes began to open and that I becarne truly aware of my conscience. The childish sorrows and frustrations of earlier years were gone now and in their place carne the pains and trials of the teenager. In my years of puberty, my nerves were often agitated and I could easily become irritated. Gradually this inner storm passed. Today I look around me undisturbed but really astonished to see how much crime and corruption there is on every side; especially there seems to be so much Stephen Kaszap in the Noviciate; in the middie of the 2nd row. impurity in human living." At one point he writes, " The temptations I fought during the year with more or less success, have surged again." We have the witness of his religion teacher: "Before class, Steve would go to church and if he had no time for Mass, Later he notes, "After my fIrst general confession, I he would make a visit to the Blessed Sacrarnent. He goes to fought again with ali my strength against my temptations. Holy Communion quite frequently." During my vacation, I was delighted to fInd a very efficient weapon for my moral combats, a book by Marcell-Koszterszitz, Steve himself tell us: "1 went to Mass whenever there called: ''Tbe Hard Comrnandment." My father gave it to me and was one; otherwise I recited a decade of the Rosary and some I read it with a lot of interest. It becarne my morning breviary prayers. I like to take part in the Litany of our Lady and that of St. Stephen and to listen to Bible reading. I used the prayers 12 lj of the Congregation for my morning prayers but usually joined Clubs (KOSOSZ) he stood in fourth place among the winners. my family for evening prayers." In the KIZOJZ competitions he won four gold, three silver and one bronze medal. On March 7, 1934, in the gyrnnastic tournaments at Székesfehérvar, the ancient royal city south-west AS A GYMNAST of Budapest, Steve won several gold medals - on the combined bars, the high bars and in horse racing. With this he was junior At the Lycée, Steve had an excellent gym instructor. champion of the school district of Székesfehérvar. He was Professor Denkinger had an exceptional ability to inspire his Eroud to win for his school in these regional games. students. By giving special attention to the more talented, he was able to train many outstanding gyrnnasts and develop a national reputation for his school. THE QUESTION OF VOCATION

One can read in Steve's diary: "The joy of the heart is a fragile and delicate flower which can easily be damaged and destroyed by money, poisoned by celebrity, anesthetized by pleasure, but it can bloom to beauty in the noble-spirited, those in whom the only ideal and purpose is the most holy: God the Etemal."

Stepben Kaszap, tbe gymnaste. At this point in life Steve Kaszap has to deal with the question of his vocation. What will this man of 18 years choose? -- this young man who had such broad interests, who graduated with distinction, who was student vice-president in his Steve, who seerns to have had considerable native ability, college, who was the secretary of the Marian Congregation, also benefited by this regime and was eventually able to become an a scout master, gyrnnastics champion, and last but not least, a outstanding performer. Apparently this was not without some much-liked and respected member of his community. What failures; one of his companions telis us he had a lot of trouble kind of ambition animates bim? What does he intend to do with learning to hold his head correctly when performing on the bar. his life? The answer is quite surprising! In the opinion of his Eventually he succeeded in perfecting his technique and winning home room teacher, Steve considers hirnself inept for many honours in gyrnnastics. everything. He thinks about the priesthood, but in this case, he feels that he should be a monk, or an elementary school teacher In fact he succeeded in various competitions outside the in a remote village. His spiritual director guides him in his Lycée. In a competition of the National League of Junior Sport dilemma. He makes him realize that he sins against God if he 15 does not choose a career corresponding to his capabilities. PART 2 A retreat directed by a Carmelite father will come to his IN THE JESUIT ORDER help: "Never has a retreat had a greater impact on me," - he writes -, "than this one. For this I can be thankful to a NOVITIATE AT THE MANRESA Carmelite father. My soul was cleansed by a general confession and my will strengthened. I pray to God that he provides more What kind of a novice was Steve Kaszap? He reflected priests like him to my poor country, and that their words will be an inner maturity, coming across as a warm, calm, reserved more than just a cry in the wildemess." individual who was, at the same time, informal and friendly. There was something about him that made him stand out from A book by Bishop Ottokár Prohászka, entitled The Way the other 18-year-old novices. What was it? It was as if the and The Stages, also helped Steve to make his decision. In this struggles of the previous years had left an indelible mark on his book the Bishop talks about his years at the German-Hungarian whole character, a mark made by a life deliberately focused on College of Rome. The College was under the direction of the God. He started his novitiate and continued as long as he Jesuit fathers. "1 read with great interest Father Ottokár's possibly could, with the same determination and seriousness, accounts," he writes. "A sort of a beauty and harmony with the same drive that characterized his last years of high emanates from his words. In the middie of the chapter called school. 'Germanicum Hungarium,' a thought moved me: a Jesuit life would agree with me the most." Here is an entry from his diary: "My fellow novices are very agreeable and likeable. It is only the extraordinary heat As it was customary in high school, a Jesuit priest led that is unusual. It even gives me a headache. My Lord, how one of the student retreats. A classmate of Steve's arranged for glad I am that you led me to such an excellent company. I see Fr. Kovacs to see them at 3 p.m. The meeting took place. my colleagues zeal and joyful devotion. My God, give me Then on June 21, he visited the Jesuit Novitiate, Manresa, and energy that I might resemble them. Fill me, Lord, with energy he was admitted. His mother asked: "Steve, do you want to be every morning, to last me through the day. My God, I only ask such a poor priest?" She had had other dreams for her sono On for this one thing, for the rest will come from that 'energy' ." the other hand, his father admonished him to be steadfast in his prayers. "The greatest treasure on earth is the priestly life. We have given everything away, we have left everything behind and now we must give our whole being."

"The duty of the novice is to transform his soul in the spirit of the rule - leaving all work and worry aside in order to grow in spiritual life and in the practice of vírtues." ,. 17 needed to fIght sin: virtue must win a daring and magnanimous He himself lisls the questions for his exarnination of victory. And what about me? Should I be a piece of cheap conscience: "Getting up: is it done quickly? Visiting the glass in the body of the Church or a gem? To make the task Blessed Sacrament: is it with devotion? Do I ask for grace? and the sacrifIce easier, Jesus gave us an exarnple. He carries Breakfast: is it food for the soul or greed? Reading: is it done us on wings of consolation ... I must study Christ on my knees, with attention, energy, diligence? Gymnastics: are they with a soul full of prayer and with devout love. Veni mecum, perfonned conscientiously? School and studying: arn I diligent, labora.mecum! (Come with me, work with me). Answer: I will attentive? Recreation: is it joyous, refreshing? Love: is it follow you closely. Saint Paul fell in love with the crucjfied complete? Conversation: is it eager? Are the walks calm? ls Christ. Mediocrity will not lead to the goal: you are either a the conversation loving, joyful? ls fatigue gladly endured and saint or a failure. Follow closely. Christ is calling. You must concealed? Rosary: is it said devoutly and attentively, is it obey unconditionally - more than mere words are needed to be unforced? Exarnination of conscience: is it zealous, noble, an apostle. Action should be followed by teaching. Virtue is accurate? ls there repentance? Finn resolution?" not submission but heroism." At the retreat this is what he writes to his parents: "1 can tell you that I !earned a lot. I reaped many benefIts and gained great vigour. Lay people THIRTY·DAY RETREAT cannot even irnagine how many blessings and what spiritual value there is in a retreat. This is when vocation becomes truly The great test for the novices is the thirty-day retreat. It conscious and the person decides to break with every earthly is divided into four weeks with a one day break between each attraction, joy, arnusement, cornfort ... to offer one's complete week. This is the fIrst, real, great encounter of the novice with freedom to God." the Lord and Master whom he wants to follow. This is where a life-time resolution is fonnulated: to follow Christ the King and Master in poverty, chastity and obedience, according to the IN PURSUIT OF A HOLY LIFE rules of the Society of Jesus. The vows are taken at the end of the second year. The whole novitiate prepares for this pledging Endeavouring to be gentle: "Kindness should dominate of self. not only your words but your thoughts and deeds as weil, in other words, your whole being. People are most impressed by "If my mind is in ils right place," Steve writes in his kindness." notes, "it is absolutely necessary that I follow Christ. Why follow closely? His person, the importance and sanctity of the "At every ringing of the bell think of obedience (let it be matter deserve it. The reward is great, the sacrifIce relatively brisk, prompt, cheerful) as if Jesus Christ himself were small (Romans 8, 12). I have no right to refuse his exceptional commanding or ordering." "The will of God always held him grace. Noblesse oblige! There is a need for saints who will captive", says one of his fellow novices, "making him always take the faithfui with them. The world needs missionary peaceful and smiling, and his whole personality reflected a well- apostles and heroic leaders. Christ deserves an honour guard. balanced, p!easant individual." Let the Leader have faithfui replicas. The priestly spirit is "Our works alone," he writes, "are insignificant, but with "Jesus Christ is very jealous: He wants you either totally love they can be made valuable." or not at ali. Mediocrity does not lead to the goal."

"Practice brotherly love, tolerance, patience, gentieness, "Do not be afraid of the future. If you have a strong do the will of others rather than your own, see Christ in faith and put your trust in the Holy Spirit, you will get whatever everybody else, be polite, speak weil of others, be cheerful you need for your apostolate. " always." I "The truly humble person is indifferent to diverse "You cannot rest unti! you really love everyone, ,1 positions: this person considers himself or herself unfit for any therefore you must always speak and think weil of others. Do of them but, with God' s grace, capable of anything required by not flinch at sacrifices for your brothers. Let these sacrifices be obedience." ongoing rather than just the result of moods." "We must build God's kingdom in our hearts." "Carry out and keep to the daily agenda with ali your might. This will make you holy and perfect. To determine "1am God' s servant, my whole life is a continuous great easily how far you have gone on the way to this perfection, Yes to God." think about how your tasks are carried out in times of fatigue, "Be consistently faithfui to Christ the King in your self- adversity, etc. This is the measure of holiness." denial, moderation and mainly in the conscientious performance of your spiritual duties. If you are very tired, think of the great "Sanctity does not consist of being fauitIess but rather in merits earned when the spirit overcomes the body. This is not compromising with my weaknesses. Do I resign myself to possible with inner strength." them? If I fali a hundred times, I get up a hundred times and continue to fight resolutely. Punishment is necessary." "At meal times, rise above the body. Do not miss a word of the reading during meals!" This energy and quest for perfection are surprising! "What is at the heart of this state of mind?" asks Fr. Endrody. "At meal tirnes, consistent moderation has to be The concentrated effort of an athlete and champion? That too. established and kept, with self-denial at least once a day."

"True love can be achieved through action, with the , "What do I fear? I fear the recreation period and strength of our muscles and the sweat of our brows... True , performing in public. What use will it be if I can give a love is what is most important, for it is everlasting. Reflect on homily, but at the table I am a speechless fool? This is a very this a lot and pay special attention to it when performing the heavy moral burden because it will last my whole life through. exarnination of conscience. " This makes me lose heart and hinders me in my work because I cannot reconcile taciturnity with perfection, since that in itself 21 20 S'E!\YJ!?{l0'[ tPP is imperfeetion." and spiritual guidance (honesty) and your common sense th' ared remember that a few hours, days or weeks are n~ mg comp the "Now you are bashful, tacitum, faint-hearted, full of .th 'ty and that after the rain comes sunshme. (Above WI eteml . lik th' ou can doubts and worries: pray to the Holy Spirit every day for grey clouds the sky is forever blue). At tlffies e ~ y ~ devotion, talents, memory and the art of conversation and you meditate on how terrible it is when God leaves m~ one or a will be completely transformed! This requires cooperation, but short period of time, let alone forever! Dreadful. don't lose heart, be a man! Christ the King is the leader, you are His soldier, be brave and always eager in your struggle. "1 was inconsolable all day toda~. Consola?On cam~ Start your program with the triduum of self-denial, constant during meditation in the evening. Was It wo~, losmg heart. prayer, supplication in your free time to the Heavenly Father, to (Above the grey clouds the sky is forever blue). Christ, to the Holy Spirit, to the Virgin Mother, to your patron saints, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and to Saint Stanislaus . 't' S ;~portant to recollect oneself, to "When praymg I I llU bod Kostka!" concentrate, to put brakes on the senses, to ~se above the y, to muster inner and outer devotion,. attenUon anlfidcho~posure. Prayer should be short, Slmp. 1e, trusung and unse IS . THE PRA YERFUL LIFE "Are you thirsty? Do not let yourself be satisfied wi~ "St. Thomas Aquinas says that what Divine Providence arthly refreshment and consolation but go to God. ~e w. has decided from the beginning of time to give to each ~atiSfYyou with the refreshing waters of his grace, the ountam individual, He will subsequently give only through prayer. of all living water." Divine Providence ties everything to conditions and to definite . th f meditation! Take rules: the earth remains fertile only through diligent cultivation "Do not seek extraordinary pa s or . ... This is exactly what He deereed and deeided that the soul the roven sure road. If it was good enough for so m~y, It could receive divine grace and instruction through prayer alone. willPbe go~ enough for you too. Should it be ~od:s WIll Het, way of meditauon. Wha This is why the Saviour says: "ask and you shall receive, seek, will lead you to a new, more perfeet . . and you shall find, knock, and the door shall be opened to you." 'is most irnportant is to put your resolve mto acuon. (Mt. 7,7)

"Many of my meditations are imperfeet, done when 1am THE EUCHARIST sleepy. My reviews are not forcefui enough. At common prayers 1 do not pay attention and my imagination roams." "If you go by God's house, even if you are in a hurry, go in to greet your Lord God." "When perturbed, do not be of little faith nor faint- hearted, do not despair, but remain calm, steadfast and make "Oh heaven-sent holy Bread! How is it possible ~ good use of time for gaining merit; keep in mind that you have should sometimes be so indifferent towards you? I do not 23 about you often enough, yeaming for you. I do not understand saints. He took notes about their lives. He studied with how it is that I do not meditate more on God' s infInite goodness remarkable zeal the lives of those tortured for their faith at the for giving us, human insects, the Body of His Only Son for food city of Kassa. He liked to talk about the three beatifIed Jesuits, so that we might have etemal life." Canon Mark Korosi, Menyhert Grodecz and Istvan Pongracz. He knew a lot about them and about the era in which they lived, "How magnificent is the Eucharist, the source of all their relics, the miracles and the story of their beatification. He strength, devotion, self-sacrifice, martyrdom. Love, adore and prayed for their intercession and encouraged his schoolmates to study it so that, like the saints, you will have all these." revere them. He would pray to Saint Joseph with the sirnplicity of a child and this is what we fInd in his notes about the Virgin In response to Jesus' infmite love manifested in his Mary: "Love your Heavenly Mom! You love and long for your Sacred Heart, he writes: "loffer my whole life as a sacrifice to mother very much but, look, you'II fInd an even holier mother the Sacred Heart of Jesus for my own and other people's many in the Virgin Mother! Love her and trust her unconditionally." horrible sins."

GRACE

What will assure God's fmal victory in the world and in the soul, in history and in the destiny of the individual? What is it that makes those who accept Him always victorious, and those who turn against Him always defeated? But above all, what are we to do to have God win a total victory in our souls?

Barely six weeks prior to his death, he writes in his "lumina" journal: "Finally! Eureka! I found what I have for so long searched for, but could not fInd. What is it? What is the Tbe Manresa sole reason for prayer, something for which we have to plead constantly? Every other spiritual need is contained in it. It is grace, the grace to recognize God's gifts always, and never to resist it but to follow it and trust in it, so that it can mould our souls. Thomas a Kempis expresses the same thing when he says that you should always desire and pray that God's will in you be fulfIlled."

Steve Kaszap had a great respect and admiration for the 25

wrote. He went through his trials with a sunny heart. "A little PART 3 illness is more useful than ten or twenty years spent in health." THE WAY OF THE CROSS Meanwhile he suffered a nosebleed and then his fever rose. The diagnosis was pleurisy. His nosebleed started again and becarne AFFLICTIONS nearly fatal. The doctor cauterized the bleeding vein. Steve Kaszap suffered without complaint. Anyone in contact with him When Steve Kaszap entered the novitiate, he appeared to admired his inner strength. be in excellent health but the medical check-up at the time detected fever. Was it a result of nerves? The doctor Accepting God's will, this is what he wrote on March 2, interpreted it so. or did it have another cause, something 1935: "1 suffer gladly for Christ and I don't run from pain." lurking behind the appearance of strong physical health? Only The book, "On the Road to Eternal Life", meditations by Joszef the good Lord knows the deep secrets of every human body. Korompai, published after the author' s death, had a great impact on him. He wrote: "Reading this book makes one find delight On the warm summer aftemoon of July 30, 1934, he in suffering." Steve got better but on the fourth day his fever entered Manresa, the Jesuit novitiate. His heart was full of joy, rose again. He had abscesses on his thigh and loins and his and he felt he had reached his goal. His happiness, however, fever was up to 400C. He was taken to the hospital for the first was not undisturbed. The very next day he becarne hoarse and time. According to the doctor, humanly speaking there was no soon lost his voice. Steve Kaszap took this as a warning, a hope for Steve. The date was March 17, 1935. It was exactly premonition. In his notes this is how he prepared for his one year to the day that Steve had become a junior gyrnnastics sufferings: champion.

"A person prepares and thinks of something that he loves (the cross) and then the suffering is not a surprise. (Jesus IN THE HOSPITAL foretold his own sufferings.)" Further on he wrote: "Love to meditate on suffering and death and think of your own suffering Surgery was scheduled for March 19, the feast of St. and grief." Joseph. Many prayers were offered for the health of the seriously ill novice. His voice carne back, but then his tonsils needed medical attention. After Christrnas his ankles becarne swollen, he had After the operation he whispered to his novice master, arthritic pains and could barely walk. Pus-filled abscesses Fr. Hemm: "Holy Communion helped me greatly today and that appeared first on his fingers, then on his neck and face. The is why I was so calm going in for surgery. I trust St. Joseph specialist ordered yeast treatrnent and, finally, he becarne very much." Then he added: "How small our sufferings are bedridden with tonsillitis. and how much the Church needs them! These thoughts make suffering much easier for me." "Any cross God gives must be carried with joy," he 27

to the martyrs who suffered gladly and were happy to have When his confessor asked if there was anything something in common with Jesus. "1drink eagerly from the cup bothering him, he replied with simple honesty: "My youth is of suffering for the love of God. The more I drink, the thirstier pure though my childhood was restless. My only regret is that I get. llluminate my mind so that I never obstruct the path of I was not a daily communicant before. How strange that there your grace! Open my eyes, ml my prayers and my will with are so many prodigal sons among God's children and so few strength ... Jesus help me!" totally innocent ones." His ilIness did not relent. He had been at the novitiate He wrote: "My Te Deum (thanksgiving) should be in for one year now, a year full of suffering. "The cross on my my suffering, just like St. Elizabeth's." In fact, suffering shoulder is enormous, lamafraid that I won't be able to bear became his daily song of praise. it." He was balancing between doubt and trust as his ilIness disappeared for a time, only to reappear stronger than before. This is when the Master said to his novices: "God's . grace is marvelous. Brother Kaszap grows more in his spiritual "Death can find you at any moment. Expect to die after life in one hour than we do in one year." finishing each task. Thus, with God' s help, you will do all your work with care." Steve Kaszap's hospital stay had positive effects on the other patients who learned to appreciate and love him. Once he Because of his sores he could only sit on the edge of his was able to walk he was happy to help them. His inf1uencewas chair. Later, the abscesses spread to his knees, and from there most noticeable at the Easter Holy Communion. Ten out of the on, he stood during his visits to the Blessed Sacrament. eleven patients in his hospital room received the Lord weil prepared and with deep faith. The eleventh patient, a non- Catholic, was moved to tears and said: "1 never thought there THE CAUSE FOR GREAT ANXIETY was so much faith, harmony and love in the Catholic faith." The novitiate is two years long. During the first year, the official canonical year, an absence of only 30 days is AT MANRESA AGAIN allowed. Steve Kaszap spent more than that in hospital, therefore the novice master requested the Superior General in Undoubtedly Steve Kaszap wanted to get better since his Rome to consider his second year to be his canonical year. On vocation, his life as a priest, depended on it, but at the same the basis of Steve's performance, this was granted. His second time he learned the wonderful taste of suffering for and with year became his official first year. He started it off with great Christ. "The greatest value in our earthly life is to suffer enthusiasm, but it soon became apparent that, because of the silently and without complaint," he wrote. recurring nature of his illness, in spite of his good will, he did not have the required health to continue. To love suffering is only possible for those who do it with Jesus and for the same reason He did. This gave strength These are the thoughts he wrot.e down on October 18, Steve accepted the sufferings with Jesus. He understood that 1935: "Sacred Heart of Jesus grant that I might empty myself though Jesus taught with words, He redeemed the world by completely! 1 do not want to reserve anything for myself, for sacrifice. He felt that God had accepted his life as a sacrifice, my own intentions, not even my prayers, my sufferings or and this fIlled him with inner peace. He thanked God for it anything else. Everything is yours, you gave them to me and I every day. Naturally he would have liked to get weil to serve give them back to you, Sacred Heart. I want to serve the Seat God' s cause as a priest, and his dream was to die as a Jesuit of Love, Your Most Sacred Heart, with love and suffering (these priest, but at the same time, he submitted everything to God' s two are what I need most in life; after them only death: the last will. "My whole life should be a continuous Yes to God," he hurdIe towards perfect love). This is my goal in life, the wrote. essence of my life' s philosophy."

His superiors had no alternative but to send Steve home. AT HOME AGAIN When he was healthy again, they would receive him with open arms. He then wrote his parents: "Reverend Father Superior Steve went home with his mother at the beginning of advises me that since, in my present condition, I cannot fuifIll November. In the familiar surroundings, his father and four the requirements of the novitiate, I should go home until I am brothers and sisters were waiting for hím. His fever went up completely cured, which might be hastened by the change. again. On November 8, the doctor was called and he was When I recover completely, I will come back." adrnitted to hospital again. He took his cross and the telephone number at Manresa so that if his condition became terminal, he could ask permission to telephone to take his vows. The SAYING GOOD-BYE TO THE NOVITIATE diagnosis was erysipelas, so he was adrnitted to the hospital for contagious diseases, where he remained for two weeks. The day of leaving the novitiate was the saddest of his entire life. His colleagues gathered in the common room where At the end of November he went to church every Steve, said good-bye to each one of them. This would not morning and his daily schedule followed the priestly routine of usually be done when someone leaves, but Steve Kaszap was prayer and study. He was preparing for the Greek exam expected to return. Then, in civilian clothes, he left his beloved required for his studies in theology. He asked his father for the Manresa, it was hoped, only for a short time. Nobody ever book, "The Road to Perfection" by St Teresa of Avila. thought that within seven short weeks God would be calling him to Himself. He took with him his large rosary and the cross By December, Steve thought it was high time to get rid that he had received when he received his cassock. He left with of his tonsils, the apparent reason for his miseries. Because of a heavy heart but accepting it alI as God's will. severe pain in the joints, the doctor recommended immediate surgery. Steve asked to be adrnitted to the Red Cross Hospital "Bodily sufferings cannot be compared to those of the in Budapest where he had been treated previously. He entered soul," he wrote in his journal. The Lord's ways are inscrutable! the Bar, Nose and Throat Department on December fourth. 31 Because of the urgency, he underwent surgery that same evening. The surgery was Successful but his incision healed specialist was calIed and he sent Steve to ~e hospital. slowly. After several days, he stiU had difficulty swalIowing, Admission took a long time, and then, followmg normal h~d a number of minor hemorrhages and had to be on aliquid procedure, the patient with a 4O.6°C tempera~ was give~ a diet. Though he could not talk, he did not isolate himself. He bath. His mother spoke to the hospital chaplam and let hím ~isited his littI.enephew who was recovering from ear surgery know that Steve would like to receive Communion every day. m another sectIon of the hospital. He also received visitors. He Then they said farewell - for the last time. ~t ~ght he wa~ had a long exchange on the Jesuit way of life with one of his given an injection because, as he wrote, "breathmg ISdifficult, former classmates; but Steve' s part had to be in writing. A few but nevertheless he grew worse. The struggle for every breath days later the hemorrhages stopped and the site of the surgery of air was increasingly painful and desperate. was healing weil, so on the tenth day he was alIowed to go h~me.. Before leavin~ the hospital, he spent two hours playing "He cried alI night, his tears flowed down his face," said WlthhIs nephew. ThIS was three days prior to his death. the nurse. He was rushed to the operating room at arou?d 3 ~.m . and the doctor in charge performed a tracheoto~y, mse~ng a silver tube in his throat, and tried to improve his brea~mg THE FINAL SUFFERING - Like the Suffering Christ with injections and artificial respiration. ~s soon a.~he reg~ed consciousness, he laboriously wrote on hIS sheet, 1 ",:ouldl~e He went home on December 14, feeling weil but stiIl to see a priest", and reached for his cross and, with his Manan somewhat tired and unable to eat properly. Finally his tonsils, medal, held it to the end. The nurse sat by him. Steve ~ach.ed apparently the culprits for his iIls, were gone. However, before for the paper and pencil on his night table and ~ote m fa:~t nightfalI he was shaken by chills. His weakened body shivered letters: "My mouth is fIlled with blood, 1 would like to S~lt . and shook and his fever rose above 380C. On the morning of Then, in big, easily readable letters, he wrote: "Is the pnest December 15 he could no longer speak. His throat was swollen coming?" But the nursc just smiled and did not move because his fever was above 400C. The doctor prescribed an antipyreti~ she was convinced that Steve's life was in no danger. We can and a throat rinse. By the afternoon he could no longer only surmise what went on in his mind while waiting. swalIow, but he received his visitors with a smile. He had once written: "What will console me at my "1visited him two days before his death," wrote one of death? My holy faith will give me hope since 1 will ~ave ~o his friends from the novitiate. "He could not talk but there was other consolation. " EIsewhere he wrote: "The gre.atv1rtU~.m a smile on his fever-flushed face. He looked at me lovingly and the !ast hour of our life is the acceptance of death .Wlthhu~ty signalIed that when he got weil he would return to the and self denial for our sins." Now alI his consolatIon was m the novitiate." tightIy-held cross and the Marian medial.

On December 16, the doctor visited him again and was At five o' clock in the morning the night nurse. w~ saddened to diagnose a tumour in Steve' s throat. The ENT relieved. The patient wrote: "1have great difficulty br~thing, then, "1would like to be washed. The nurse brought hIm water 33 32 and washed his sweat-soaked face and hands. Steve wrote again: "1cannot make my confession, but I request absolution for I arn repentant. I cannot take communion either because I cannot swallow. I would like the last rites." He underlined the last sentence. The nurse nodded that she understood. She EPILOGUE arranged his IJed. Steve was grateful, "The fresh water feels good on my hands,"he wrote in appreciation. The nurse went Steve Kaszap was my fellow novice. My impressions of to fetch the priesl. What happened after the nurse left him will him are still fresh in my mind. As a novice, I respected and, to remain a secret forever. By the time she carne back with the be honest I admired him. His gymnastics routines impressed priest, Steve Kaszap was no longer conscious, but his last me greatl~ since I had no such training. I learned to admire message lay beside him! his acceptance of ali his suffering and his offering himself as a sacrifice to God. "God be with you! We will meet in Heaven! Do not weep, this is my birthday in Heaven. I have tried to evoke his memory by quoting his own God bless you ali!" words. I believe he has a message not only for today's youth but for everyone. It has always been difficuit to acce~t Steve Kaszap's eyes were still open, fixed on the crucifix suffering, especially during war time. Many people lose therr and the Marian medal in his hands, but he no longer saw the faith. There is but one solution: to suffer with Jesus for the nurse nor priesl. The priest gave bim absolution, anointed him sarne reason He suffered. This is what Steve Kaszap did. with the sacrament of the sick and gave him the papal blessing. God put bim in a family with a deep faith, where he In less than haif an hour, at ten minutes past six, he learned to pray. He grew up in the atmosphe~e of a scho~1run stopped breathing and his soul was before Jesus, the etemal by a religious order. The Marian Congregauon taught him to Judge who judges the living and the dead. love our Heavenly Mother. In the Scout movement he bec~e a responsible leader, a good friend and a lover of nature. His dedication led him to become a charnpion gymnasl. As a student he earned good grades and becarne a top student through diligent work.

He offered his life to God generously as a novice to serve Hungarian youth. He was a hero in his sufferings, one from whom God seemingly took everything, yet he kept his inner peace and serenity. His death was his birthday in ~eaven, the reassurance that we will meet beyond the grave. His only regret was not having become a daily communicant earlier. J5

1am convinced that Steve Kaszap is still the good friend who helps those who seek his intercession. The many favours granted bear witness to this. PRAYER FOR Bibliography: STEVE KASZAP' S BEATIFlCATION

Endrődy, L., S.J. Élet Krisztusért (Life for Christ). The Lord Jesus, you have said, whoever wants to life of Steve Kaszap. Seventh Edition. fol/ow me, let him deny himse/f, take up his cross and fo//ow me, look upon your faithfui servant, Steve Kaszap. The goal of his young life was to renounce everything to serve the Seat of Love,. Your Most Sacred Heart, with PRAVER love and suffering. During his lifetime he gave everything to your Sacred Heart, Lord Jesus, you have said. 'Anyone inc/uding his suffering and prayers. Let your who wants to follow. let him deny Sacred Heart grant him everything, Lord himself. take up his cross, and follow Jesus, thot he, we /rust, is asking for us in me: look upon your faithtul seNant heaven. Grant conversion to sinners, healing Steve Kaszap and through his to the sick, consolation and relief to the intercession grant us the grace that suffering and help to those in need. 1 pray we ask of you. provided it is for our that you grant me the grace that 1 need and good. We pray that you grant us the the favour 1 ask through his intercession. grace to follow his example by seNing the Seat of Love, your Most 1 ask you with my whole heart, Lord Jesus, to Sacred Heart. Amen honour your son, Steve Kaszap, whom your Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be to the Father. .. infinite love chose to serve you and to suffer with you then cal/ed him to yourse/f. Grant that we may soon honour him at our altars as an example ofpure innocence, heroic love and faithfulness unto death. a young Hungarian saint dedicated to your Sacred Heart for the glory of the Holy Trinity. Amen. Jó

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Remember, O Virgin Mother, the filial wve that Steve Kaszap professed for you when he urged us to wve you and have unconditional trust in you as our Heavenly Mother. We ask you as MedioJor of aU Blessings to accept, make it your own and bless the case of Steve Kaszap which we offer you, we dedicate to you and entrust to your motherly protection. Amen.

You are asked to notify the following address of any favours granted through the intercession of God's servant, Steve Kaszap:

Postulation Générale Borgo Santo Spirito 5. Roma C.P. 6139 001931taly COPlES AVA1LABLE AT: OURLADYOFHUNGARYCHURCH 90 GUIZOT WEST, MONTREAL, QUE. H2P lL4